DENISON'S ACTING PLAYS 

Partial List of Successful and Popular Plays. Large Catalogue Free. 
Price 15c each, Postpaid, Unless Different Price Is Given 



DRAMAS, COMEDIES, 
ENTERTAINMENTS, Etc. 

M. F. 

Aaron Boggs, Freshman, 3 

acts, 2J4 hrs (25c) 3 8 

Abbu San of Old Japan, 2 acts, 

2 hrs (25c) 15 

After the Game, 2 acts, 1 4 

hrs. (25c) 1 9 

All a Mistake, 3' acts, 2 hrs. 

(25c) 4 4 

All for the Cause, 1 act, 1 '4 

hrs (25c) 10 

All on Account of Polly, 3 acts, 

2% hrs (25c) 6 10 

And Home Came Ted, 3 acts, 

2Y 4 hrs (35c) 6 6 

'Arizona Cowboy, 4 acts, 2 4- 

hrs (25c) 7 5 

As a Woman Thinketh, 3 acts, 

2]/ 2 hrs (25c) 9 7 

At the End of the Rainbow, 3 

acts, 2J4 hrs (25c) 6 14 

Boy Scout Hero, 2 acts, \% hrs. 

(25c) 17 

Boy Scouts' Good Turn, 3 acts, 

134 hrs I (25c) 16 2 

Brookdale Farm, 4 acts, 2 4 

hrs (25c) 7 3 

Brother Josiah, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 

(25c) 7 4 

Busy Liar, 3 acts, 2J4 h. (25c) 7 4 
Call of the Colors, 2 acts, \ l A 

hrs (25c) 4 10 

Call of Wohelo, 3 acts, \% 

hrs (25c) 10 

Camouflage of Shirley, 3 acts, 

2^4 hrs (35c) 8 10 

Civil Service, 3 acts, 2*4 hrs. 

(25c) ' 6 5 

College Town, 3 acts, 2J4 

hrs (25c) 9 8 

Danger Signal, 2 acts, 2 hrs.. 7 4 
Daughter of the Desert, 4 

acts, 2^4 hrs (25c) 6 4 

Deacon Dubbs, 3 acts, 2% hrs. 

(25c) 5 5 

Deacon Entangled, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 

(25c) 6 4 

Down in Dixie, 4 acts, '2 l/ z 

hrs (25c) 8 4 

Dream That Came True, 3 

acts, 24 hrs (25c) 6 13 

Editor-in-Chief, 1 hr....(25c) 10 
Enchanted Wood, 1-H h.(35c).Optnl. 
Everyyouth, 3 acts, 1 J /2 h. (25c) 7 6 
Face at the Window, 3 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) 4 4 

Fifty-Fifty, 3 acts, 2 hrs. (35c) 6 8 
Fun on the Podunk Limited, 

1% hrs (25c) 9 14 



M. F. 

Her Honor, the Mayor, 3 acts, 

' 2 hrs. (25c) 3 5 

High School Freshman, 3 acts, 

2 hrs ....(25c) 12 

Indian Days, 1 hr (50c) 5 2 

In Plum Valley, 4 acts, 2 4 

hrs (25c) 6 4 

Jayville Junction, 1V 2 hrs.(25c) 14 17 
Kicked Out of College, 3 acts, 

214 hrs (25c) 10 9 

Kingdom of Heart's Content, 3 

acts, 2% hrs (25c) 6 12 

Lady of the Library, 3 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) 5 10 

Laughing Cure, 2 acts, 1)4 hrs. 

(25c) 4 5 

Lighthouse Nan, 3 acts, 2 J4 

hrs (25c) 5 4 

Little Buckshot, 3 acts, 2% hrs. 

(25c) 7 4 

Little Clodhopper, 3 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) 3 4 

Mirandy's Minstrels (25c) Optnl. 

Mrs. Tubbs Does Her Bit, 3 

acts, 214 hrs (25c) 7 7 

Mrs. Tubbs of Shantytown, 3 

acts, 2^4 hrs (25c) 4 7 

Old Fashioned Mother, 3 acts, 

2J4 hrs. (25c) 6 6 

Old Maid's Club, \ l / 2 hrs. (25c) 2 16 
Old Oaken Bucket, 4 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) 8 6 

Old School at Hick'ry Holler, 

1 J4 hrs (25c) 12 9 

On the Little Big Horn, 4 acts, 

2V 2 hrs. (25c) 10 4 

Poor Married Man, 3 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) 4 4 

Prairie Rose, 4 acts, 2y 2 h.(25c) 7 4 

Rummage Sale, 50 min 4 10 

Rustic Romeo, 2 acts, 2 4 

hrs (25c) 10 12 

Safety First, 3 acts, 

2J4 hrs (25c) 5 5 

Savageland, 2 acts, 2^ hrs. (50c) 5 5 
School Ma'am, 4 acts, 1)4 hrs. 6 5 
Sewing for the Heathen, 40 min. 9 
Southern Cinderella, 3 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) 7 

Spark of Life, 3 acts, 

2 hrs (25c) 4 4 

Spell of the Image, 3 acts, 2 J / 2 

hrs (25c) 10 10 

Star Bright, 3 acts, 2y 2 h. (25c) 6 5 
Teacher, Kin I Go Home? 2 

scenes, 35 min 7 3 

Those Dreadful Twins, 3 acts, 

2 hrs (25c) 6 4 

Thread of Destiny, 3 acts, 2^ 

hrs (25c) 9 16 

Tonv, the Convict, 5 acts, 2l4 

hrs (25c) 7 4 



T.S.DENISON&COMPANY,Publishers,154W.RandolphSt., Chicago 



WHO'S THE BOSS? 



A COMEDY IN ONE ACT 



BY 

RAGNA B. ESKIL 

AUTHOR OF 

'Aunt Harriet's Night Out," Betty s and Bobby's Christmas, 
" America in the Making" and "Lottie Sees It Through." 




CHICAGO 

T. S. DENISON & COMPANY 

Publishers 



°9 ,<fc 



^C^ 



WHO'S THE BOSS?/^ 

CHARACTERS. 

James Smith Henpecked, a Bank Cashier 

Dr. Brown A Jolly Dentist 

Carl Miller •• • . .A Young Lawyer 

Henrietta Smith The Determined Wife 

Mrs. Brown The Amiable Wife 

Mary Heath Engaged to Miller 

Mrs. Jenkers , Mrs. Smith's Sister 

Dorothy Jenkers Aged Eight 

Nancy Smith's Hired Girl 



Time — Afternoon in Summer. 



Place — Smith's Living Room. 



Time of Playing — Thirty Minutes. 



STORY OF THE PLAY. 

James Smith, bossed by his wife for twenty years, wants 
to go fishing with Dr. Brown and Carl Miller, but his 
wife says he sha'n't. He does go, and this light comedy 
tells how his various friends try to help him, and how he 
finally rebels himself. 



COPYRIGHT, 1918, by t. s. denison & company. 

OCT 19,918 2 TMPS6-007295 

I 



WHO'S THE BOSS? 3 

COSTUMES AND CHARACTERISTICS. 

Smith — A man of forty, in a neat business suit. After- 
ward he wears a hat. 

Mrs. Smith — Is also about forty years old. She is 
dressed in a stiffly starched white dress, made long and full 
in the skirt. Afterwards she wears a prim hat. 

Dr. Brown — A jolly, well-dressed man of thirty-five. 

Mrs. Brown — A pretty woman of thirty. She wears a 
light summer dress and hat. 

Miller — A pleasant, energetic young lawyer, well- 
dressed. 

Mary Heath — A warm-hearted girl of about twenty- 
three. She wears a light summer dress and hat. 

Mrs. Jenkers — A woman of about thirty, with an agree- 
able manner. She is dressed in a neat traveling suit and hat. 

Dorothy — A pretty miss of eight or so, with an engag- 
ing habit of telling what father says. 

Nancy — A hired-girl character part. Can be made very 
appealing and funny. She is dressed in a blue coverall 
apron. 



PROPERTIES. 

A large library table ; new fishing rod, basket, reels, etc., 
with the price tags still on ; wrapping paper ; two suitcases ; 
two umbrellas ; two raincoats ; a large hat box. 



STAGE DIRECTIONS. 

R. means right of stage; C, center; R.C., right center; 
L., left ; up stage, away from footlights ; down stage, near 
footlights. The actor is supposed to be facing the audience. 



WHO'S THE BOSS? 



Scene: The living room in the Smith home. Door C. 
leading to the hall. The room is well-furnished in a prim 
and "nothing-to-be-moved" style. A chair stands near the 
door, and the library table is covered with fishing parapher- 
nalia that is very evidently just bought. The price tags arc 
still on and the wrapping paper is lying in a careless bundle 
at one side. 

At the rise of the curtain Mr. Smith is discovered fuss- 
ing with a reel and whistling happily under his breath. He 
is a man of about forty, very quiet in manner, and, until 
later in the act, very much overawed by his wife whenever 
he is in her presence. He zvears a neat business suit. 

Mrs. Smith (out in the hall). When you have finished 
with the scrubbing, Nancy, you may polish the silver. And 
don't forget to let me know when it's train time. 

She comes into the room. She is also about forty years 
old and is rather stout, with a set chin, and her hair tightly 
drawn in a knot at the top of her head. She is dressed in a 
stiffly starched, perfectly ironed white dress, made long and 
full in the skirt. At her entrance and her disapproving 
glance at the mussed wrapping papers, Smith ceases, his 
whistling and hastily begins folding the wrapping papers 
into neat piles. 

Mrs. S. H'm, what's this? 

Smith. These are my fishing things, my dear. 

Mrs. S. Humph! (She reads a tag.) Four dollars for 
that ! 

Smith (nervously) . Fishing things are — er — rather ex- 
pensive, my dear. 

Mrs. S. It would seem like it. (She looks over the other 
tags.) Two dollars — one dollar and fifty cents — thirty-five 
cents — one dollar and seventy-five cents — six dollars. Can't 
you get cheaper things? 

4 



WHO'S THE BOSS? 5 

Smith. Why — er — yes, but considering the fact that 
I've just had my salary raised, and this is the first fishing 
trip I've had since I was a boy, I* thought you would allow 
me to have this little luxury. (To win her over.) I — I don't 
smoke, you see, like most men — 

Mrs. S. For which you can thank me. But you don't 
need to recount your virtues to me, James Smith. I know 
them, for I made them. 

Smith {with a sigh). Yes, my dear. 

Mrs. S. Well, it certainly seems like a lot of money for 
still more foolishness. 

Smith (so happy with the idea of his vacation that he 
even dares be facetious). Well, then, I'm evidently making 
a pretty good bargain. 

Mrs. S. James Smith, what has come over you? This 
fishing trip seems to have gone to your head. But clear 
these things out now, so the house will look orderly when 
Sister Jane and Dorothy come. The train will be here in 
fifteen minutes. 

Smith (pleadingly) . Couldn't they — er — just stay here 
for a few minutes longer? Doc Brown and Miller said 
they'd come over to look at my things before I packed 
them — 

Mrs. S. (sharply). Why should they look them over? 

Smith. Er — I don't know — 

Mrs. S. Don't know! Can't you guess? 

Smith. Well, I guess they don't think I know what to 
buy since they never heard of me going off on a fishing trip 
before. (He chuckles involuntarily to himself.) They don't 
know that for the last twenty years I've read every fishing 
story I've seen, and every fishing goods advertisement I've 
come across. 

Mrs. S. What is coming over you? I've never seen you 
act like this before. 

Smith (plays with the fishing things apologetically). 
Well, it's twenty years since I've had a vacation. 

Mrs. S. Twenty years since you've had a vacation ! 



6 WHO'S THE BOSS? 

Why, James Smith ! You've had a vacation every year since 
we've been married. Haven't I been with you? 

Smith (sighs). Yes, my dear, you have. 

Mrs. S. I declare I don't know what's come over you. 
(Sharply.) Any women at the fishing lodge? 

Smith. Oh, dear, no — it's a paradise of a place. 

Mrs. S. Well, what are you going to do on this trip? 

Smith (happily, not thinking of the consequences). 
We're going to camp out-of-doors — try out those different 
flies — (he makes a half circle with a pole) — wade in the 
water up to our waists — 

Mrs. S. (grimly). And that's fun! 

Smith (ecstatically). It's heaven. Why,, when I was a 
boy — 

Mrs. S. (more grimly). We'll let "when you were a boy" 
go, James Smith, and I think we'll let the fishing trip go, 
too. 

Smith (his jaw dropping). Let the fishing trip go! 

Mrs. S. That's what I said. 

Smith (blankly). But yesterday when that letter came 
from your sister, you said I could go — and the doctor and 
Miller will be here any second now to make the final ar- 
rangements. 

Mrs. S. Well, the doctor and Miller coming to make the 
final arrangements doesn't alter the case any. I see very 
clearly that if I let you go off on this trip — sleeping out-of- 
doors and wading in the cold water, I'll have you sick on 
my hands when you get back. 

Smith. But I never get sick. 

Mrs. S. Thanks to me. 

Smith. And Miller and Doc Brown don't get sick when 
they go fishing. 

Mrs. S. You don't know whether Miller does or not, 
because he hasn't any wife to tell on him, and Dr. Brown's 
wife is the "good sport" kind that would enjoy having 
him home sick. 

Smith. Well, I shouldn't think it would matter if I did 



WHO'S THE BOSS? J 

get sick once. (Hopefully.) I'd promise not to bother you. 
I'd go to the hospital. 

Mrs. S. (snorts). To the hospital! No, James Smith, I 
know my duty as a wife. 

Smith (again hoping). But now when your sister and 
Dorothy come, I'd be in the way around the house. 

Mrs. S. Yes, goodness knows, you will. That's why I 
said yesterday you could go. But I'd rather be bothered 
with you well than with you sick. Besides you can take. 
Sister Jane and Dorothy out for a ride in the car. 

Smith. Do I have to stay home just for that? 

Mrs. S. Don't I have to stay home from your vacation 
because Sister Jane is coming? Isn't her coming the reason 
you were going alone? 

Smith (still daring to be persuasive) . But if I promised 
I'd not wade in the rivers — 

Mrs. S. James, a promise from a man as excited about 
fishing as you are, doesn't mean anything. 

Nancy appears in the doorway. She zvears a blue cov- 
erall apron, which is splashed with water in front. She 
shows great respect for Mrs. Smith, a non-humorous, 
mothering attitude towards Smith, and great admiration 
for Dr. Brown and Miller. 

Nancy. Here be Dr. Brown and Mr. Miller. 

Dr. Brown and Carl Miller enter. Dr. Brown is an 
affable, jovial man, about thirty-five years old, while Miller 
is an energetic young lawyer of thirty. Nancy withdrazvs 
slozvly, wiping her hands on her apron. 

Dr. Brown. Ah, good afternoon, Mrs. Smith. Well, 
Smith, old boy (giving Smith a resounding whack across 
the shoulders), we'll start having the time of our lives to- 
morrow morning. 

Miller (nodding to Mrs. Smith and going over to the 
table to examine the fishing array). Why, Smith, you've 
got some fine outfit here ! 

Brown (surprised also — jovially). Who says you don't 
know how to buy tackle? 



8 WHO'S THE BOSS? 

Mrs. S. (smoothly). Yes,, it's unfortunate he bought 
such a lot, but I suppose he can return it. 

Miller (in amazement). Return it! 

Mrs. S. Yes, I'm sorry, but James won't be going with 
you tomorrow morning. 

Brown and Miller (in chorus). Not going! 

Smith. But, my dear. 

Nancy runs into the room in great distress. 

Nancy. Oh, Mrs. Smith, it's one minute over the time 
you should go to the station. I was just — 

Mrs. Smith. Never mind about making excuses, Nancy. 
You should have been here on the second. (Nancy goes 
out with her head hanging.) James, get your hat on imme- 
diately and start the machine going. We'll have to make 
up for that lost minute. (To Brown and Miller.) You 
will excuse us — my sister and niece are coming on this train. 

Smith. But, my dear — 

Mrs. S. We have no time for "buts" now, James. (She 
takes him by the arm and leads him through the door.) 

Smith (in desperation sticks his head back in the door- 
way. To Brown and Miller). Wait until we get back. 
(His head is jerked out of sight.) 

Mrs. S. (out in the hall — sharply). James! 

Brown. Well of all things! 

Miller. Poor old Henpeck ! 

Brown. And he's the best bank cashier this town has 
ever had — 

Miller. Can you understand it — so efficient in the bank 
and such a poor simp at home? 

Brown (jokingly). Wait till Mary gets you tied fast. 

Miller (warmly). Mary isn't that kind. 

Brown. No, thank the Lord, there aren't many like Mrs. 
Smith. Now, if my wife — 

Miller. Do you really suppose she would stop his going? 

Brown. If reports are true, she's capable of it. 

Miller. Why doesn't he get up his spunk and tell her 
he's going whether she wants him to or not? 



WHO'S THE BOSS? 9 

Brown. Gee, Carl, that's an idea — The Revolt of Hen- 
peck Smith — not bad ! But he'll be too scared to try. 

Miller. I admit it'd take some courage, but (reflec- 
tively) this trip seems to mean a lot to him — 

Brown (getting excited). Well, let's see what we can 
do to help him out. We could kidnap him if nothing else. 

Miller. Great ! We'd let the poor duffer know he was 
alive for once. 

Nancy (out in the hall). Yes'm, Dr. Brown's in the sit- 
ting room, and Mr. Miller's there, too. 

Mrs. Brown and Mary Heath come in, followed by 
Nancy, who takes a lingering leave. Mrs. Brown is about 
thirty and Mary about twenty-three or four. Both arc 
dressed in becoming summer dresses and light hats. 

Brown. Oh, hello, what brings you here? 

Miller (taking hold of Mary's hands). This is a happy 
surprise. 

Brown (separating their hands with jolly brusqueness). 
Here — here — none of that now ! Why, it isn't fifteen minutes 
since you two saw each other. 

Mrs. Brown (laughing). Jerry, remember your own 
courting days ! But where are the Smiths ? 

Brown. Gone to meet Sister Jane and her daughter. 
They ought to be back soon. 

Mrs. B. Oh, yes, the sister's been here before, but not 
the daughter. The sister's — different. Well, Mary and I 
came to tell you that Tad Simpkins just telephoned to say 
he had to drive up your fishing way in his car this after- 
noon, and if you wanted to go with him instead of taking 
the train tomorrow, he'd be glad to have your company. 
But he has to leave in half an hour, so you'd have to get 
ready right away. 

Brown (delighted). By George, that'd be great. We 
could be fishing by sunrise. 

Miller. Yes, that certainly would be fine. (To Mary.) 
But, Mary, then we couldn't take our walk tonight. 

Brown (teasing). What a calamity that would be! 

Mrs. B. (smiling). There are other nights. 



10 WHO'S THE BOSS? 

Mary {archly). Do you think we would have come to 
tell you, if we hadn't wanted you to go? 

Miller. Poor Henpeck, he should have had a wife like 
ours, shouldn't he, Brown? 

Mary (coyly). You haven't me yet. 

Brown (seriously) . But joking aside, Carl, do you sup- 
pose we can manage it? 

Mrs. B. Manage what? 

Brown. Why, Mrs. Smith has decided she won't let 
Smith go. 

Mrs. B. and Mary (in chorus). Why not? 

Miller (shrugging his shoulders). We don't know. She 
didn't give any reason. 

Mary. But doesn't he want to go? 

Brown. That doesn't seem to cut any figure. 

Mrs. B. But surely she must have some reason. 

Brown. I doubt it. 

Mrs. B. I'll see if I can find out. I'll call Nancy. Maybe 
she knows. (She goes to the door. In loud tone.) Nancy! 

Nancy, who has been listening outside the door, startles 
every one by appearing so suddenly that she almost bumps 
into Mrs. Brown. All except Nancy smile. 

Nancy (not realising that she gives the fact of her listen- 
ing away by not waiting to be questioned. In breathless 
monotone) . Mrs. Smith's reason, ma'am, is that Mr. Smith 
will get sick sleepin' out doors and wadin' in the water and 
she don't want him sick on her hands, and when he stays 
home he can drive the car with her sister and Dorothy. 

Brown. Great Scott, is that all? 

Nancy. Yes'm — I mean yessir. 

Mrs. B. How do you know this, Nancy? 

Nancy. I heerd them. 

Miller (with the flicker of a smile). ' The same way you 
"heerd" us, Nancy? 

Nancy. Yes'm — I mean, yessir. (With a flash of 
spirit.) They ain't nothin' excitin' ever goes on round 
here — before today — 

Brown (slowly). Yes, I suppose the first vacation 



WHO'S THE BOSS? 11 

Smith's had away from his wife in twenty years would be 
exciting — and then not to be allowed to have it. 

Mrs. B. and Mary (in chorus). It's a shame. 

Nancy. Yes'm and (jerkily bowing to Brown and 
Miller) yessir, I think it's a shame, too. Mr. Smith acted 
real disappointed too. He's been whistlin' today, and I ain't 
never heered him whistle in the house before. Glory be, it 
sounded funny. 

Mary. Does he get sick so easily? 

Brown. Never had a sick day in his life. 

Mary (impulsively). Then couldn't we all say something 
that would convince Mrs. Smith? 

Mrs. B. No one convinces Mrs. Smith. She convinces 
herself. 

Brown (half -jokingly and half -seriously). Well, we 
were just proposing, when you came in, to kidnap Smith if 
no other way could be found. 

Mrs. B. and Mary (clapping their hands). Oh, jolly. 

Nancy (in Hat monotone). No'm and nosir, that 
wouldn't do no good. Mrs. Smith wouldn't let you. 

Miller. But Mrs. Smith wouldn't know we were doing 
it. 

Nancy. She knows everything. 

Brown. Well, we don't care if she does know it and 
does object, so long as we get him away. 

Nancy (rolling her eyes up). Glory be, just think what 
he'd ketch when he got home. 

Mary. But couldn't he be made to object himself? 

Miller. That would be the easiest solution, for then 
he wouldn't care a hang about the consequences. 

Brown. No, after he's stood it for twenty years, he 
won't kick over the traces now. 

Nancy. He don't object to nothin'. 

Miller. Gee, I wish we could do something. If he 
can't come, it will be like going off on a funeral. 

Mary. Oh, something must happen. 

Nancy, (shaking her head). It's sure a funny day. 
(Voices are heard outside.) Oh, here they be coming, and 



12 WHO'S THE BOSS? 

I ain't there to unhook the screen door. Glory be! (She 
hurries for the door, but takes time to pause when Dr. 
Brown, in the general excitement, brushes one of the folded 
wrapping papers off the table.) Oh, pick that up, Dr. 
Brown, or she'll give you fits! (She disappears. Dr. 
Brown guiltily picks up the paper.) 

Mrs. B. (agitated). Oh, what shall we do! 

Mary (hurriedly). Let's take it for granted he's going. 
Sh— 

Mrs. Smith comes in, followed by Mrs. Jenkers and 
Dorothy. Mrs. Jenkers is a pretty woman of about thirty 
and is dressed in a neat traveling suit. Dorothy is about 
eight and nicely dressed. Mr. Smith brings up the rear, 
loaded down with two suitcases, two umbrellas, two rain- 
coats and a large hat box. He starts to drop them on the 
chair beside the door. 

Mrs. S. (sharply to Smith, as she notices his action). 
No, don't drop them there, James. You might push the 
chair out of place. (To others.) Ah, Mrs. Brown and Miss 
Heath ! You weren't here when I left. I believe you know 
my sister, Mrs. Jenkers — 

(All shake hands. Mrs. Jenkers is very cordial in her 
greetings. Nancy may be seen through the remainder of 
the act pecking around the door whenever Mrs. Smith 
can't see her.) 

Dorothy (feeling that she had been left out). But, Aunt 
Henrietta, they don't know me. (With an engaging smile.) 
I'm Dorothy. 

Mrs. Jenkers. To be sure the child has been forgotten. 

(All smile as Dorothy shakes hands with each of them. 
Smith ventures to put down a suitcase, but at a warning 
shake of his wife's head, picks it up again.) 

Mrs. B. (nervously, with a glance at her husband). We 
didn't mean to intrude on your sister's coming, Mrs. Smith. 
Mrs. J. Why, it's no intrusion at all. 
Dorothy. We like company. 



WHO'S THE BOSS? 13 

Brown (wishing to have the thing done with, and acting 
on Mary's suggestion, goes over and slaps Smith across the 
shoulders so heartily that he almost drops his load). Smith, 
old man, my wife came over to say we could go earlier — 

Miller (slapping Smith on the other side). Yes, Tad 
Simpkins will take us in his car right this afternoon — 

Mary (hoping to get tilings going if immediate action is 
taken). You'll have to get ready immediately, Mr. Smith. 
You ought to be starting in about ten minutes. (To Mrs. 
Smith, with a charming smile.) Isn't it nice that they 
needn't wait for that stuffy train in the morning? With 
this arrangement, they can be fishing by sunrise. 

Brown. Here, I'll collect this stuff together, so this 
much will be done. (He nervously starts shoving the fishing 
things on the table into the basket, and Miller, also ner- 
vous, tries to help him.) 

Mrs. J. (quickly). Why, you didn't tell me, Henrietta. 
This will be the first time that James has ever gone off on 
a fishing trip since you've been married, isn't it? 

Mrs. S. (zvho has been vainly trying to get an opportu- 
nity to speak — grimly). No, it won't be, for James isn't 
going. 

Smith (letting the suitcases drop — pleadingly). Hen- 
rietta ! 

Mrs. S. (looking at the suitcases). James! 

(Smith picks up his load again, but not very graciously 
this time.) 

Mary (in quick resentment, to Miller). Carl, why don't 
you help Mr. Smith? That load's too heavy for him to 
stand and hold. 

Mrs. S. You needn't trouble, Mr. Miller. James is quite 
strong enough. 

Dorothy (who has been standing with wide-eyed atten- 
tion). Why, isn't that funny? Father says Uncle James is 
strong 072/y\vhen he's in the bank, and that he's very zveak 
when he's home. 

Mrs. J. (mildly reproving). Dorothy! 



14 WHO'S THE BOSS? 

Smith. Eh, Dorothy, what was that? Is that what your 
father said? 

Brown (quickly, in his most winning manner). But, 
surely, Mrs. Smith, you'll change your mind. This trip 
would do Smith a world of good. 

Mrs. S. I never change my mind, Dr. Brown. 

Smith. Oh, yes, you did once, Henrietta. You said I 
could go yesterday, and it was only just a little while ago 
you said I couldn't. 

Mrs. Smith (severely). I don't change it twice, James. 

Mrs. J. Henrietta, I hope our coming isn't keeping James 
at home. (To Smith.) Really, you mustn't stay on our 
account. I know how my John likes to go off on a fishing 
trip, and when Henrietta comes to visit us, he isn't so 
courteous as to stay at home on her account. 

Dorothy. Yes, Uncle James, do go. You'll have such a 
lot of stories to tell when you get back. Everybody always 
laughs at father's. (Coaxingly.) You will go, won't you? 

Smith (putting down the suitcases with an air of defi- 
ance to his wife, who, puzzled, decides it's best not to say 
anything). They speak to me as though I had the power 
to decide ! Yes, Dorothy, I'd like to go. In fact, it's the 
first thing I've really wanted to do in twenty years. 

Brown (trying to be jovial). Well, you see, Mrs. Smith, 
the vote's nearly unanimous that he should go. 

Mrs. S. (with a forced smile.) Nearly unanimous, doc- 
tor, but not unanimous. You see, / haven't consented yet. 

Smith (daring to grumble). Yes, that seems to be the 
only vote around here that ever counts. 

Mrs. S. James, such back talk ! I don't know what's 
come over you today. 

Mrs. J. Why, do you call that "back talk" ? You ought 
to hear what John gives me, and if I should stop him from 
going on a fishing trip, I don't know what would happen — 

Mrs. B. (winking at Brown). Nor I, if I should stop 
the doctor — 

Mary (winking at Miller). Nor I, if I should stop Carl. 

Dorothy. Oh, father says Uncle James is a perfect angel 
of a man — 



WHO'S THE BOSS? 15 

Mrs. S. He does, does he? Well, it's not the "perfect 
angel's" fault. 

Smith (fervently). No, it's yours, Henrietta. 

Mrs. J. But really, Henrietta, why do you object? 

Mrs. S. (in a not-to-be-disputed tone). Because, in the 
first place, since I'm not there to look after him, he is cer- 
tain to catch cold — 

Mrs. B. Dr. Brown never gets a cold on his fishing 
trip — 

Mrs. S. (ignoring her). 'And in the second place, he has 
to stay home to run the car. 

Mrs. J. Nonsense, Henrietta. 

Mary (eagerly). I can drive a flivver, Mrs. Smith. So I 
can take your sister around. 

Mrs. S. (coldly). Thank you, Miss Heath, but I prefer 
having the man of the house drive the car. 

Dorothy. Why, auntie, father says Uncle James is the 
woman in the house, and that you are the man of the house. 

Smith (blinking at Dorothy). Eh, what was that? 

Mrs. S. (sternly). Dorothy! 

Brown (attempting to smooth things over). Oh, Mr. 
Jenkers evidently likes a joke, Mrs. Smith. 

Dorothy. Yes, father likes Uncle James, and he says 
he's a joke. 

Mrs. S. Really, these revelations are — 

Smith (squaring his shoulders and straightening up — 
with an angry glint in his eyes). Illuminating, to say the 
least. 

Mrs. S. What do you mean, James Smith? 

Smith (firmly). That I've had my eyes opened, Hen- 
rietta. (He turns to Brown and Miller.) When did you 
say Tad Simpkins would be ready to start ? 

Mrs. S. (before either can answer) . James, what are 
you going to do? 

Smith. I'm going on this fishing trip, Henrietta. 

Mrs. S. (angrily). James, I said you sha'n't go. 

Smith (ignoring her. To Brown). When, did you say? 

Brown (trying to keep his tone casual). I should say in 
about five minutes. 



16 WHO'S THE BOSS? 

Mrs. S. (beside herself with rage). James Smith, I say 
you sha'n't go. 

Smith. I'm not asking you, Henrietta, whether I shall 
or shall not go. 

Mrs. S. (almost screaming). You sha'n't go, James. 

Smith (pleasantly and complete master of the situation). 
Henrietta, that's the third time you've said "sha'n't go." It's 
getting to be a regular habit, and it's monotonous. Cut it 
out. 

Mrs. S. (taken back). James Smith, what has come 
over you? 

Smith. We'll discuss that later when I get back, Hen- 
rietta. You might not want our guests to hear what I have 
to say. 

Dorothy. Yes, but they'd like to hear it, Uncle James. 
Just look at them. (The guests, who have been making 
ludicrous efforts not to show their satisfaction at the turn 
events are taking, try to pull doleful faces.) 

Nancy (in the doorway, clapping her hands together. 
Ecstatically). Oh, do tell her now, Mr. Smith! We ain't 
had so much excitement since the circus ! 

Mrs. S. (making a last effort to regain her control over 
him). James Smith, I won't stand for this! 

Smith. Then sit, my dear, or rather carry those suit- 
cases upstairs. (He points to suitcases.) I haven't time. 

Mrs. S. (hardly believing her ears). Did I hear right? 

Smith. Evidently not, for you aren't doing what I com- 
manded. 

Mrs. S. You command me — your wife! 

Smith (looking her straight in the eye). Yes, Henrietta, 
from this minute on I'm going to be the man in this house. 
For twenty years, to my shame and your shame, I've been 
the woman, as Dorothy says. For twenty years not a single 
wish of mine has been consulted. Now I'm going to try 
having my way. And I'll go on a fishing trip as often as I 
blamed please. (To Brown and Miller.) Are you ready? 
(To Mrs. Smith, who, visibly overazved by the change in 
Smith, stands as though in a daze. Sharply.) Henrietta, 
you haven't started. Please hurry ! 



WHO'S THE BOSS? 17 

Mrs. S. (meekly). Yes, James. (She is still dazed and 
doesn't move, however.) 

Smith. Hurry, I said. 

Mrs. S. {still more meekly). Yes, dear. 

(She picks up the suitcases and starts tozvards the door 
and there collides with Nancy, who is just poking her head 
in the doorway again. Both fall, in plain view of the audi- 
ence. The others, except Smith, can hardly keep from 
openly laughing.) 

Smith (sternly, when lie sees neither is hurt). Hen- 
rietta, I said you should hurry, not fall! 

Mrs. S. (scrambling to her feet and picking up the suit- 
cases). Yes, dear. 

Dorothy (to her mother). And father says Uncle James 
never acts like a man ! 

Quick Curtain. 



Lighthouse Nan 

By SHELDON PARMER 

Price, 25 Cents 

A sea-coast drama, in 3 acts; 5 males, 4 females. Time, 2 1 / 4 
horirs. Scenes: 1 exterior, 1 interior. Its intense and human 
story vibrates with startling incident and heart-gripping situa- 
tions only relieved by the cleanest comedy. It tells the story of 
a little uneducated waif, mistreated and overworked but full of 
merriment and kind, natural sympathy for good. A star role 
for a soubrette, one of the best ever written and ranking with 
Sand's Fachon, Harte's M'liss. No greater role of this type has 
ever been offered to amateurs. The other parts are almost equally 
good, leading man, Indian character heavy, dude, old man (gen- 
teel) and Ichabod Buzzer, a great part for a character comedian. 
The ladies' roles are Nan, the little waif, Moll Buzzer, an old 
hag, Hortense Enlow, an adventuress who makes good, and Lady 
Sarah, an aristocratic young woman. The heart of the audience 
will beat in sympathy with the trials of Nan and rejoice at her 
ultimate triumph. SYNOPSIS 

Act T. — A Carolina lighthouse, 'long about sundown. Injun Jim 
starts trouble. "I'm an Injun, and an Injun never forgets a wrong!" 
Nan learns to read. The locket. "That's the face I always dream 
about. Do you reckon she is my sure-enough mother?" The visitors 
from the city. Sir Arthur, the speculator. "I never seen a real 
live speckled-tater afore." Nan goes hunting for a mollie cot- 
tontail and catches an Injun. "Stand right whar you are, or I'll 
blow you clean into Kingdom Come!" 

Act II. — Cap'n Buzzer and his mule January. "That 'ere mule 
gits more'n' more like my wife every day he lives." Nan bap- 
souses a biddy hen to keep her from setting. Nan poses as a 
lady, with disastrous results. Ned finds his wild rose. "You 
talk jest like the Bible." Injun Jim's secret. "I am your father!" 
The disgrace of Hortense. Mr. Enlow decides to give Nan a 
chance and send her to school. Injun Jim and Nan. "Hands up, 
Injun Jim!" 

Act III.— Two years later, Mr. Enlow's library on Christmas 
night. "Either -she leaves this house tomorrow, or I leave it!" 
Nan comes home from boarding school. Ichabod and Moll visit 
the city. The Cap'n sits on the couch. "Holy mackerel, I thought 
I set on a cat." "January's got the heaves, old Sukey's got a 
calf, the old red hen's got ten little chicks and the blacksmith's 
wife's got twins. Population is shore a-growin'!" All is right at 
last; with the ringing of Christmas chimes comes peace on earth; 
good-will to men! 

A Watch, a Wallet and a Jack of Spades 

By LINDSEY BARBEE 

Price, 15 Cents 

Comedy; 3 males, 6 females. Time, 40 minutes. Scene: A 
living room. Three famous detectives are engaged to unravel 
the mystery of the disappearance of a roomer. At intervals a 
number of his personal belongings are returned by post. The 
wise sleuths discover bushels of clues that involve everybody 
and bring about a humorous climax. The case was the inven- 
tion of an imaginative girl in an attempt to secure material for 
a mystery play. French, Irish and colored servants help supply 
the fun. Will appeal to schools as there is no love theme. 

T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers 

154 W. Randolph Street, CHICAGO 



Mrs. Tubbs Does Her Bit 

By WALTER BEN HARE 

Price, 25 Cents 

Patriotic comedy-drama, in 3 acts; 7 males, 7 females (4 are 
children, 2 boys, 2 girls). Time, 2% hours. Scenes: Interior and 
a camp at midnight, very easily arranged. Characters. Mrs. 
Mollie Tubbs, a patriotic mother. Aunt Serepty, a wealthy rela- 
tive. Clingie Vine, a romantic old maid. Mrs. Hickey, a kind 
neighbor. Elsie, a Red Cross nurse. James Tubbs, one of Uncle 
Sam's boys. Simon Rubbels, the close-fisted landlord. Major Pep- 
per, commander of the camp. Nelson and Graham, privates. 
Queenie Tubbs, aged eleven. Scuffles, aged ten. Billy, a little 
feller. Punky, the Tubbs toddler. A refined and delightful play 
featuring a woman's patriotism. The story is intensely dramatic 
and abounds in patriotic sentiment, relieved by several scenes of 
broad but refined comedy. Mrs. Tubbs gives her son to her coun- 
try and does her bit when she takes his place as sentry at the 
training camp at midnight. A Red Cross nurse lends a romantic 
touch to the play and a funny old maid and two mischievous 
children furnish the comedy. The audience will love this poor 
widow washwoman of Shantytown, who at the darkest moment 
has a ready smile and a song of cheer in her heart. 

MRS. TUBBS SATS: 

"A song and a smile makes life worth while. 

Eggs has riz sump'm scand'lous. How do the hens know 
there's a war over in Europe? 

Some folks 'ud rather grunt than smile; I ain't never heard 
a hog laugh yet, but they certainly can grunt. 

I know that if I had ten sons, I'd give each one of 'em to my 
country and be proud to say, 'America, here's my boy!' 

I ain't never received nothin' yet from my rich relations except 
advice and picture post-cards and I ain't goin' to ask 'em now. 

I ain't much, I know that, I'm only a poor widow washwoman 
livin' in the slums of Shantytown, but I'm an American and I'll 
stand up fer my country and my flag. 

Maybe Simon Rubbels ain't as bad as he's painted, but there 
ain't no angel wings a-sproutin' out of his shoulders and I've no- 
ticed that his breath smells a heap more like brimstone than it 
does like angel cake. 

I've made up my mind and when Mollie Tubbs makes up her 
mind the hull United States army and navy to boot can't unmake 
it. Gimme that rifle! I'm doing my bit fer humanity and my 
native land. 

If every black cloud had a cyclone in it, the world 'ud a been 
blowed to toothpicks long ago. 

And quit lookin' like a undertaker! 

It's the little things in life that count, Scuffles. The little 
things. Why you might have a di'mond ring on your finger and 
a gold watch in your pocket, but if you only got one suspender 
button and that busts, then where are you? 

Hand to hand, foot to foot, shoulder to shoulder they march, 
the rich and the poor, the high and the low, the college man and 
the day laborer, the millionaire and the tramp, the white and 
the black, with one idea in their minds, one purpose in their 
hearts, one voice in their ears, a voice that says 'Carry on, and 
on, and on, forward for God and home and The Star- Spangled 
Banner!' " 

T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers 

154 W. Randolph Street, CHICAGO 



The Call of the Colors 

By LINDSEY BARBEE 

Price, 25 Cents 

A patriotic play in 2 acts; 4 males, 10 females. Time, 1V 2 
hours. Scenes: 2 interiors, easily arranged. In act one a Red 
Cross gauze room is shown. A true-to-life picture; the awkward 
worker reprimanded for going a sixteenth of an inch too far; 
the suspicion of spies in the room; the girls' opinion of slackers; 
their hero, Sergeant Hilton, back from "over there"; his mys- 
terious little black book and the joy when Harrison dons the 
khaki. Tense interest, lightened by comedy. In act. two the scene 
is transported to a French chateau near the firing line. A plucky 
girl unmasks a spy and saves a repository of ammunition from 
bombardment. Military enthusiasm, mysterious intrigue and a 
war-time love story — truly a combination symbolic of the days 
in which we live. A French peasant girl, an excellent part. 

SYNOPSIS 

Act. I. — The Red Cross gauze room has various visitors. Ser- 
geant Hilton proves the chief topic of conversation and the strange 
Miss Smith is cordially welcomed. Harrison Ray is declared a 
slacker — and Sergeant Hilton's little black book causes much spec- 
ulation. Miriam makes an announcement; Harrison offers an ex- 
planation — and the boys go marching by! 

Act II. — Sergeant Hilton renews his acquaintance with Miriam 
and learns of the ammunition hidden in the village. The Germans 
arrive. The Sergeant loses his little black book — and Vilette brings 
news of the enemy. Miss Smith finds the book and sends a mes- 
sage. By means of the secret telephone, Cecile communicates 
with the other chateau — and the firing begins. Sergeant Hilton 
returns — in another role; a bugle sounds and the Stars and Stripes 
go floating by. The Sergeant, taken unawares, faces a revolver. 
Harrison Ray tells his story; the mystery is solved and the day 
is saved ! 



Lottie Sees It Through 

By RAGNA B. ESKIL 

Price, 15 Cents 

Patriotic playlet; 3 males, 4 females. Time, 35 minutes. Scene: 
A scantily furnished living room. This timely play should induce 
any community to give liberally. Written for the Red Cross, 
but with the change of a few words it will plead for the Liberty 
Loan, the Y. M. C. A. fund or any other cause as worthy. Its 
action is based on the elemental question — can one refuse to 
give to his country and yet be at ease with his conscience? Still 
it is not a somber or dreary play — it has its light touches. It 
stirs the heart and its climax will arouse a fervor of patriotism 
only comparable to a religious revival. If unable to produce this 
Play, get someone to read it as it cannot help but stimulate action. 



T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers 

154 W. Randolph Street, CHICAGO 



DENISON'S ACTING PLAYS 

Price 15 Cents Each, Postpaid, Unless Different Price Is Given 



>r. f. 
Trial of Hearts, 4 acts, 2;4 his. 

(25c) 6 18 

Trip to Storyland, 1 '4 hrs. (.2-"c) 17 23 

Uncle Josli.M acts, 2J4 Ins. (25c) S 3 
Under Blue Skies, 4 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) 7 10 

Under the Laurels, 5 acts, 2 hrs. 6 4 
Winning Widow, 2 acts, V/i hrs. 

(25c) 2 4 

Women Who Did, 1 lir. . . (25c) 17 

Yankee Detective, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 8 3 

FARCES, COMEDIETAS, Etc. 

All on a Summer's Day, ^0 mm. 4 6 

April Fools, 30 min 3 

Assessor, The, 10 min 3 2 

\unt Harriet's Night Out, 35 

min 1 2 

Baby Show at Pineville, 20 min.. 19 

Billy's Chorus Girl, 25 min... 2 3 

Billy's Mishap, 20 min 2 3 

Borrowed Luncheon, 20 min.. 5 

Borrowing Trouble, 20 min. .. . 3 5 
Case Against Casey, 40 min... 23 

Country Tustice, 15 min 8 

Cqw that Kicked Chicago, 20 m. 3 2 

Divided Attentions, 35 min... 1 4 

Family Strike, 20 min 3 3 

First-Class Hotel, 20 min 4 

For Love and Honor, 20 min.. 2 1 

Fudge and a Burglar, 15 min.. 5 

Fun in Thoto Gallery, 30 min.. 6 10 

Getting Rid of Father, 20 min. 3 1 
Great Medical Dispensary, 30 m. 6 
Great Pumpkin Case, 30 min.. 12 

Hans Von Smash, 30 min.... 4 3 
Initiating a Granger, 25 min.. 8 

Irish Linen Peddler, 40 min... 3 3 

Kansas Immigrants, 20 min... 5 1 

Lottie Sees It Through, 35 min. 3 4 

Men Not Wanted, 30 min 8 

Mother Goose's Goslings, 30 m. 7 9 

Mrs. Jenkins' Brilliant Idea, 35m. 8 

Mrs. Stubbins' Book Agent, 30 m. 3 2 

Not a Man in the House, 40 m. 5 

Pair of Lunatics, 20 min 1 1 

Patsy O'Wang, 35 min 4 3 

Pat, the Apothecary, 35 min.. 6 2 

Persecuted Dutchman, 30 min. 6 3 

Please Pass the Cream, 20 min. 1 1 

Second Childhood, 15 min.... 2 2 

Shadows, 35 min 2 2 

Sing a Song of Seniors, 30 min. 7 

Smith's Unlucky Day, 20 m : n.. 1 1 

Taking Father's Place, 30*min. 5 3 

That Rascal Pat, 30 min 3 2 

Too Much of a Good Thing, 45 

min 3 6 

Turn Him Out, 35 min 3 2 

Two Aunts ar.d a Photo, 20 m. 4 
Two Gentlemen in a Fix, 15 m. 2 

Two Ghosts in White, 20 min.. S 



m. r. 

Two of a Kind, 40 min 2 3 

Uncle Dick's Mistake, 20 min.. 3 2 

Wanted a Correspondent, 45 m. 4 4 
Watch, a Wallet, and a jack of 

Spades, 40 min 3 6 

The Whole Truth, 40 min 5 4 

Who's the Boss? 25 min 3 6 

Wide Enough for Two, 45 min. 5 2 

Wrong Baby, 25 min 8 

VAUDEVILLE SKETCHES, MON- 
OLOGUES, ETHIOPIAN PLAYS. 

Amateur, 15 min 1 1 

At Harmony Junction, 20 min. 4 

Axin' Her Father, 25 min 2 3 

Boaster Club of Blackville, 25 m'.lO 
Breakfast Food for Two, 20 m. 1 1 

Cold Finish, 15 min 2 1 

Colored Honeymoon, 25 min... 2 2 
Coon Creek Courtship, 15 min. 1 1 
Coming Champion, 20 min.... 2 
Coontown Thirteen Club, 25 m.14 

Counterfeit Bills, 20 min 1 1 

Darktown Fire Brigade, 25 min. 10 
Doings of a Dude, 20 min.... 2 1 

For Reform, 20 min 4 

Fresh Timothy Hay, 20 min.. 2 1 
Glickman, the Glazier, 25 min. 1 1 
Good Mornin' Judge, 35 min.. 9 2 

Her Hero, 20 min 1 1 

Hey, Rube! 15 min 1 

Home Run, 15 min 1 1 

Hungry, 15 min 2 

Little Miss Enemv, 15 min.... 1 1 
Little Red School House, 20 m. 4 

Love and Lather, 35 min 3 2 

Marriage and After, 10 min.. 1 

Memphis Mose, 25 min.\ 5 1 

Mischievous Nigger, 25 min.. 4 2 

Mr. and Mrs. Fido, 20 min 1 1 

Oh, Doctor! 30 min 6 2 

One Sweetheart for Two, 20 m. 2 

Oyster Stew, 10 min. 2 

Pete Yansen's Curl's Moder* 10m. 1 

Pickles for Two, 15 min 2 

Si and I, 15 min 1 

Special Sale, 15 min 2 

Street Faker, 15 min 3 

Such Ignorance, 15 nrn 2 

Sunny Son of Italy, 15 min.. 1 

Time Table, 20 min 1 1 

Tramp and the Actress, 20 min. 1 1 
Troubled by Ghosts, 10 min... 4 
Troubles of Rozinski, 15 min.. 1 
Two Jay Detectives, 15 min.. 3 

Umbrella Mender, 15 min 2 

What Happened to Hannah, 15m. 1 1 

A great number of 

Standard and Amateur Plays 

not found here are listed in 

Denison's Catalogue 



T. S. DEN ISON& COMPANY, Publishers, 154 W.Randolph St., Chicago 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



POPULAR ENTERTAINK._.2. 016 J^J7Ai 

Price, Illustrated Paper Covers, 30 cents each 




IN this Series 
are found 
books touching 
every feature 
in the enter- 
tainment field. 
Finely made, 
good paper, 
clear print and 
each book has 
an attrac t i v e 
individual cov- 
er design. 



A Partial List 

DIALOGUES 

All Sorts of Dialogues. 

Selected, fine for older pupils. 
Catchy Comic Dialogues. 

Very clever; for young people. 
Children's Comic Dialogues. 

From six to eleven years of age. 
Country School Dialogues. 

Brand new, original. 
Dialogues for District Schools. 

For country schools. 
Dialogues from Dickens. 

Thirteen selections. 
The Friday Afternoon Dialogues. 

Over 50,000 copies sold. 
From Tots' to Teens. 

Dialogues and recitations. 
Humorous Homespun Dialogues. 

For older ones. 
Little People's Plays. 

From 7 to 13 years of age. 
Lively Dialogues. 

For all ages; mostly humorous. 
Merry Little Dialogues. 

Thirty-eight original selections. 
When the Lessons are Over. 

Dialogues, drills, plays. 
Wide Awake Dialogues. 

Original successful. 

SPEAKERS, MONOLOGUES 

Choice Pieces for Little People. 

A child's speaker. 
The Comic Entertainer. 

Recitations, monologues, dialogues. 
Dialect Readings. 

Irish, Dutch, Negro, Scotch, etc. 
The Favorite Speaker. 

Choice prose and poetry. 
The Friday Afternoon Speaker. 

For pupils of all ages. 
Humorous Monologues. 

Particularly for ladies. 
Monologues for Young Folks. 

Clever, humorous, original. 



Monologues Grave and Gay. 

Dramatic and humorous. 
Scrap- Book Recitations. 

Choice collections, pathetic, hu- 
morous, descriptive, prose, 
poetry. 15 Nos., per No. 30c 

DRILLS 

The Best Drill Book. 

Very popular drills and marches. 
The Favorite Book of Drills. 

Drills that sparkle with originality. 
Little Plays With Drills. 

For children from 6 to 11 years. 
The Surprise Drill Bock. 

Fresh, novel, drills and marches. 

SPECIALTIES 

The Boys' Entertainer. 

Monologues, dialogues, drills. 
Children's Party Book. 

Invitations, decorations, games. 
The Days We Celebrate. 

/Entertainments for all the holidays. 
Good Things for Christmas. 

Recitations, dialogues, drills. 
Good Things for Sunday Schools. 

Dialogues, exercises, recitations. 
Good Things for Thanksgiving. 

A gem of a book. 
Good Things for Washington 

and Lincoln Birthdays. 
Little Folks' Budget. 

Easy pieces to speak, songs. 
One Hundred Entertainments. 

New parlor diversions, socials. 
Patriotic Celebrations. 

Great variety of material. 
Pictured Readings and Tableaux. 

Entirely original features. 
Pranks and Pastimes. 

Parlor games for children. 
Private Theatricals. 

How to put on plays. 
Shadow Pictures, Pantomimes, 

Charades, and how to prepare. 
Tableaux and Scenic Readings. 

New and novel; for all ages. 
Twinkling Fingers and Sway- 
ing Figures. For little tots. 
Yuletide Entertainments. 

A choice Christmas collection. 

MINSTRELS, JOKES 

Black-Face Joker. 

Minstrels' and end men's gags. 
A Bundle of Burnt Cork Comedy. 

Monologues, stump speeches, etc. 
Laughland, via the Ha-Ha Route. 

A merry trip for fun tourists. 
Negro Minstrels. 

All about the business. 
The New Jolly Jester. v 

Funny stories, jokes, gags, etc. 

Large Illustrated Catalogue Free 



T.S.DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers,154 W.Randolph St., Chicago 



